Why I Don’t Loosen Up Before My Bike Rides

I don’t stretch. No, seriously. You can keep your yoga mats and your slow, deep stretches. I just hop on my bike and go. Sounds reckless? Maybe. But I’ve got my reasons.

Anyway, that’s not the point. The point is: stretching before a ride? For me, it’s just another way to waste time.

1. It’s All in the Ride

Ever noticed how your first few miles on the bike are like an instant warm-up?

You don’t need to stretch before you ride if you start slow. You ease into it. Just a few minutes of light pedaling, and your legs start to feel like they know what’s going on.

There’s no need to preemptively stretch muscles that are still figuring out if they want to work today.

Stretching, for me, is like giving a bottle of whiskey a little pre-pour sip. Useless. The ride itself is the warm-up. The first few minutes of easy pedaling and my body gets the memo.

2. I’m Not Training for the Olympics

It’s not like I’m planning to break any speed records or train for a Tour de France.

I’m just trying to get from A to B without hurting myself. A warm-up? Who needs it?

It’s just a glorified ritual that makes us feel like we’re doing the right thing, like how people rub their hands before a big speech.

But the truth is: it’s unnecessary if you’re not pushing your body to extremes.

Bukowski didn’t need a warm-up before heading to the bar or lighting a cigarette. Neither do I when I’m going for a ride.

3. Stretching Can Be a Pain

I remember when I used to stretch before my rides—my hamstrings would scream, my quads would twist in frustration, and I’d think, Why the hell am I doing this?

Stretching felt more like a chore than a benefit. And it wasn’t like it ever made the ride any easier.

4. It’s All About Momentum

Once you start your ride, the momentum builds. You can’t stretch that. The bike’s rhythm, the hum of the tires against the road, that’s the real warm-up.

The stretch, in contrast, is just a temporary attempt to trick your body into thinking it’s ready. But in reality, nothing gets you ready for a ride like riding itself.

So, why mess with a good thing? If you’re going to stretch, do it after. Your muscles will thank you then, not before.

5. Modern Science Is on My Side

It turns out, stretching before exercise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Studies have shown that static stretching—yes, those long, painful stretches—can actually decrease muscle strength and flexibility in the short term. In other words, you might actually make your muscles less effective before a ride.

Maybe it’s time we all stopped pretending stretching does something magical. I’ve got my own routine: a slow start, and if my muscles are sore afterward, well, I’ll deal with that later.

6. The Real Warm-Up is Mental

The best part of the ride happens in your head. Bukowski had a mind as sharp as a blade, and that’s what fueled his writing. Similarly, the best rides come when you’re mentally present. You don’t need to stretch your hamstrings to get into the groove; you need to stretch your mind.

It’s not about the muscles. It’s about knowing the ride is going to be a good one. And that confidence doesn’t come from static stretches.

7. Flexibility is Overrated

I get it—some people swear by stretching to stay flexible, but let’s face it: as cyclists, we don’t need to be contortionists. We need to ride our bikes. Flexibility is great for ballerinas and yogis, not so much for someone out there trying to beat the next hill. Stretching is for someone who wants to put their legs behind their head, not for someone who wants to pedal for hours without stopping.

Bukowski, with all his raw honesty, never cared about how he looked or felt in the moment. He just lived. That’s what cycling is for me: just living through the ride, no distractions.

Table Summary:

Point	Explanation
1. The Ride is the Warm-Up	Starting slow on the bike naturally warms up the muscles. No need for pre-ride stretching.
2. Not Training for the Olympics	Stretching is often unnecessary for casual cyclists. Warm-up happens through the ride itself.
3. Stretching Can Be a Pain	Stretching before a ride often feels like a waste of time and energy, especially with no real benefits.
4. Momentum Over Stretching	Once you start pedaling, the momentum builds naturally. Stretching can’t replace the flow of the ride.
5. Modern Science is Against It	Research shows static stretching before exercise might reduce muscle strength and flexibility, making it less effective for performance.
6. The Real Warm-Up is Mental	Mental readiness is key. It’s not just about warming up muscles; it’s about having the right mindset for the ride.
7. Flexibility is Overrated	Cyclists don’t need extreme flexibility. They need endurance and strength, which come from the ride itself, not from stretching beforehand.

So, what have we learned? Stretching before a bike ride? Not for me. I’ve got other things to think about—like the wind, the road, the distance. Flexibility is for someone else. I just ride. No warm-up. No pretense.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s the secret to a good ride.